2016 Toyota 4Runner vs. Its Competition

Bengt Halvorson Senior Editor

Most SUV drivers don't actually need an off-road vehicle; but there are a few that do need something like a Toyota 4Runner, at least in one of its simpler or more rugged trims.

The Nissan Xterra might be the most direct rival; it's a five-seater only, but it's essentially a Frontier pickup with a wagon body, so it has real off-road strength.

Unfortunately, the Xterra isn't being renewed for 2016—but it might be back in the future.

The Jeep Wrangler still has the off-road chops, but it's on a different level in terms of refinement and features.

The Ford Explorer has a similar shape to the 4Runner, but it's gone full crossover, sharing running gear with the Taurus sedan.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee is still a formidable all-terrain vehicle, especially with its new EcoDiesel engine, but it gets quite expensive quite easily—and who wants to ruin a really nice $50,000 SUV? The 4Runner has a corporate rival: its cousin, the Lexus GX 460, has the same underpinnings, but more luxury features and a V-8 engine.

The GX doesn't cost much more than the 4Runner Trail, but because of its complicated power-folding third-row seat and side-opening hatch, we'd rather have the Toyota.